Seances for group rape in Turin (3)

(ANSA) - Turin, March 14 - Three men were arrested in Turin Tuesday for organising seances in which the group rape of an underage student took place, police said. A self-styled 'magician', 69, and his accomplices, a 74-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, were arrested by Turin flying squad on suspicion of group rape. The girl was drugged and raped during the seances, she told police. A probe is continuing to see if there were other victims. The magician was identified as Paolo Meraglia, a retired teacher. The man, by claiming esoteric powers, allegedly persuaded the girl she was the victim of strong negative elements that meant she had to be purified. The rites consisted in sexual acts, also in a group, under the influence of drugs in an attic in Turin's San Donato district and in the magician's house on the southern outskirts of Turin. Police also arrested Biagino Viotti, 74, and the 22-year-old boyfriend of the girl. Investigators said they had uncovered the existence of a hierarchically organised group with the 'Master' at the head of it, the 'Apostle', the 'Vestal Virgin', the 'Catalysers' and the 'Handmaiden'.
    Police, who said they could not rule out there being other female victims, are weighing whether to proceed against others who allegedly took part in the rites.
    The investigation was prompted by a complaint from the student, judicial sources said.